Counterfeit clothing haul seized at shop

CHRISTMAS bargain hunters have been warned to be on their guard after a huge haul of suspected fake goods were seized in Newcastle.

The counterfeit clothing, which included brands such as Hugo Boss, UGG, North Face, Nike and Under Armour, was seized by Newcastle Trading Standards acting on a tip-off.

They found 80 pairs of trainers, 20 pairs of boots and slippers and 200 tracksuits/jackets at the unnamed shop in the east end of the city.

The goods, with a street value of £10,000, were destined for the lucrative Christmas market as presents and are now under lock and key at a secret location pending an investigation.

Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for environment and regulatory services, Coun JohnPaul Stephenson, said: “This is a significant haul of suspected illegal goods.

“I appreciate many families will be finding it tough this Christmas but counterfeit goods are often linked to criminal networks, forced labour and other crimes, so it is not the kind of thing we want to fuel the demand for.”